Oral Answers to Questions

Jo Stevens Excerpts

Tuesday 18th December 2018 Commons Chamber

[Gerald Jones (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney) (Lab)]

1. What steps the Government are taking to ensure that workers can access legal advice on workplace injuries.

[Jo Stevens (Cardiff Central) (Lab)]

4. What steps the Government are taking to ensure that workers can access legal advice on workplace injuries. [R]

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Lucy Frazer)]

I believe that the hon. Gentleman is referring to our proposal to raise the small claims limit for employees’ personal injury claims to £2,000. That change is not only in line with inflation, but will give those affected the opportunity to be heard in an uncomplicated, accessible court, without the need for a lawyer if they so choose.

[Lucy Frazer]

The Ministry of Justice always ensures that it brings measures to the House in a way that is appropriate for them. Of course this measure will have scrutiny; statutory instrument procedure involves the scrutiny of the House. This measure will ensure that people can access the courts in an accessible way, without the need to spend excessive amounts of money.

[Jo Stevens]

I refer the House to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. I listened carefully to what the Minister just said, but what guarantee can she give us that the civil procedure rule committee will be able to consider the proposed small claims increase, which covers workplace injuries, independent of Government? Why can we not debate the measure on the Floor of the House?